Xiaochun Long - Research & Publications

Project 1: VSMC protein quality control and AAA formation

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), characterized by progressive dilation and weakening of the abdominal aorta, is a life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality due to dissection or rupture. Aside from invasive and costly surgical or endovascular repair for large aneurysms, there are currently no effective pharmaceutical therapies to halt AAA progression. Our recent findings reveal that dysfunction in protein quality control systems, including impaired ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) activity and autophagy, precedes AAA development. This project aims to uncover the mechanisms driving this dysregulation and explore therapeutic strategies to restore protein homeostasis for AAA prevention and treatment.

Project 2: Venous SMCs (vSMC) reprogramming and therapeutic targets of AVF maturation failure  

A surgically created AVF between a vein and an artery remains the gold standard for vascular access in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring life-saving hemodialysis. However, nearly 60% of AVFs fail to mature into functional conduits due to inadequate outward remodeling, limited flow capacity, neointimal hyperplasia, and fibrotic stenosis, placing a significant burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Currently, no therapies effectively promote AVF maturation, largely because the mechanisms governing venous adaptation to AVF hemodynamics remain poorly understood. This project aims to define the molecular pathways driving vSMC reprogramming in the CKD setting and to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve AVF patency in CKD patients.